Methods for operating amplifiers and related devices

ABSTRACT

Methods for operating amplifiers and related devices. In some embodiments, a method for amplifying a signal can include partially amplifying a signal with a common amplification stage. The method can further include providing a bias signal to a selected one of a plurality of dedicated amplification stages each coupled to the common amplification stage and including an output node, such that the selected dedicated amplification stage further amplifies the partially amplified signal and provides the further amplified signal at the respective output node.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/458,918 filed Mar. 14, 2017, entitled POWER AMPLIFIER HAVINGSELECTIVE SIGNAL PATHS, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/320,071 filed Jun. 30, 2014, entitled POWER AMPLIFIER HAVING ACOMMON INPUT AND A PLURALITY OF OUTPUTS, the benefits of the filingdates of which are hereby claimed and the disclosures of which arehereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to radio-frequency power amplifiers.

Description of the Related Art

In radio-frequency (RF) applications, a power amplifier (PA) typicallyreceives an RF signal from a transceiver through an input, and amplifiesthe RF signal for transmission through an output, to be routed to anantenna. Such a PA can provide amplification functionality for aplurality of frequency bands. Routing of an amplified RF signal for aselected frequency band typically involves a switch implemented on theoutput side of the PA.

SUMMARY

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a poweramplifier that includes a plurality of signal paths having a commoninput node. Each signal path includes a dedicated amplifier stage, andeach signal path is configured to be capable of amplifying aradio-frequency (RF) signal received at the common input node. The poweramplifier further includes a bias selector configured to provide a biassignal to the dedicated amplifier stage of a selected one of theplurality of signal paths to thereby allow amplification of the RFsignal through the selected signal path.

In some embodiments, each signal path can further include a dedicatedoutput node such that the amplified RF signal leaves the power amplifierthrough the dedicated output node of the selected signal path. In someembodiments, each signal path can further include a dedicated harmonictrap circuit.

In some embodiments, the bias selector can include an SPNT switch havinga pole and N throws, with the quantity N being at least the number ofsignal paths. The quantity N can be equal to the number of signal paths.The SPNT switch can be configured to receive a bias signal through thepole and provide the bias signal to the dedicated amplifier stagethrough a corresponding throw.

In some embodiments, the plurality of signal paths can share a commonamplifier stage. The common amplifier stage can be a first amplifierstage in each signal path. The dedicated amplifier stage can be a secondamplifier stage in each signal path.

According to a number of implementations, the present disclosure relatesto a method for amplifying radio-frequency (RF) signals. The methodincludes providing a plurality of signal paths having a common inputnode, with each signal path including a dedicated amplifier stage, andeach signal path being configured to be capable of amplifying aradio-frequency (RF) signal received at the common input node. Themethod further includes selecting one of the plurality of signal pathsto amplify the RF signal. The method further includes routing a biassignal to the dedicated amplifier stage of the selected signal path tothereby allow amplification of the RF signal through the selected signalpath.

In a number of implementations, the present disclosure relates to asemiconductor die that includes a substrate and a common input nodeformed on the substrate. The die further includes a plurality of signalpaths formed on the substrate and connected to the common input node.Each signal path includes a dedicated amplifier stage, and each signalpath is configured to be capable of amplifying a radio-frequency (RF)signal received at the common input node. The die further includes abias selector formed on the substrate and configured to provide a biassignal to the dedicated amplifier stage of a selected one of theplurality of signal paths to thereby allow amplification of the RFsignal through the selected signal path.

In some embodiments, each signal path can further include a dedicatedoutput node such that the amplified RF signal leaves the die through thededicated output node of the selected signal path. In some embodiments,the die can be configured as an HBT die. In some embodiments, thesubstrate can include a GaAs substrate.

In some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a power amplifiermodule that includes a packaging substrate configured to receive aplurality of components. The module further includes a power amplifierimplemented on the packaging substrate. The power amplifier includes aplurality of signal paths having a common input node, with each signalpath including a dedicated amplifier stage, and each signal path beingconfigured to be capable of amplifying a radio-frequency (RF) signalreceived at the common input node. The power amplifier further includesa bias selector configured to provide a bias signal to the dedicatedamplifier stage of a selected one of the plurality of signal paths tothereby allow amplification of the RF signal through the selected signalpath. The module further includes a plurality of connectors configuredto provide electrical connections between the power amplifier and thepackaging substrate.

In some embodiments, the power amplifier can be implemented on a firstdie such as an HBT die. In some embodiments, at least some of the biasselector can be implemented on the first die. In some embodiments,substantially all of the bias selector can be implemented on the firstdie. In some embodiments, at least some of the bias selector can beimplemented external to the first die. In some embodiments,substantially all of the bias selector can be implemented on a seconddie.

In some embodiments, each signal path can further include a dedicatedoutput node such that the amplified RF signal leaves the power amplifierthrough the dedicated output node of the selected signal path. The poweramplifier can further include a dedicated matching network connected toeach dedicated output node. The dedicated matching network can beimplemented off of a die associated with the amplifier stages and on thepackaging substrate. The signal paths having their respective dedicatedamplifier stages and their corresponding matching networks can beconfigured to increase power efficiency of the power amplifier.

In a number of implementations, the present disclosure relates to aradio-frequency (RF) device that includes a transceiver configured toprocess RF signals. The RF device further includes an antenna incommunication with the transceiver and configured to facilitatetransmission of an amplified RF signal. The RF device further includes apower amplifier (PA) module connected to the transceiver and configuredto generate the amplified RF signal. The PA module includes a pluralityof signal paths having a common input node, with each signal pathincluding a dedicated amplifier stage, and each signal path beingconfigured to be capable of amplifying an RF signal received at thecommon input node. The PA further includes a bias selector configured toprovide a bias signal to the dedicated amplifier stage of a selected oneof the plurality of signal paths to thereby allow amplification of theRF signal through the selected signal path and yield the amplified RFsignal.

In some embodiments, the PA module can further include a dedicatedmatching network connected to an output node associated with each signalpath. In some embodiments, the RF device can include a wireless device.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantagesand novel features of the inventions have been described herein. It isto be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention.Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taughtor suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example radio-frequency (RF) amplification configurationwhere an output of a power amplifier (PA) is routed to two exampleband-specific paths via an output switch.

FIG. 2 shows a PA having an input for receiving an RF signal, and aplurality of outputs, where each of the outputs can be associated with aunique amplification path starting at the input.

FIG. 3 shows examples of components that can be included in the PA ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed example configuration of the PA of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows that the PA of FIG. 3 can include more than two signalpaths sharing a common input.

FIG. 6 shows that in some embodiments, one or more features as describedherein can be implemented in a module.

FIG. 7 shows an example where such the module of FIG. 6 is a packagedmodule.

FIG. 8 shows an example wireless device having one or more advantageousfeatures as described herein, implemented in a frequency-divisionduplexing (FDD) configuration.

FIG. 9 shows an example wireless device having one or more advantageousfeatures as described herein, implemented in a time-division duplexing(TDD) configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The headings provided herein, if any, are for convenience only and donot necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

As the number of bands covered by some wireless devices (e.g., cellularphones) is increased, multi-mode multi-band (MMMB) power amplifiers arebecoming more common. In operation, a transceiver typically drives aradio-frequency (RF) signal into a common input of a power amplifier(PA). Upon amplification by the PA, the RF signal exits the PA andtypically goes through a matching network before being routed to aselected one of a plurality of band-specific paths by an output switchexternal to the PA.

In the context of two example band-specific paths “B38” and “B40,” FIG.1 schematically depicts the foregoing configuration. A power amplifier12 is shown to include two example stages, and an output of the secondstage is shown to pass through a harmonic trap circuit before exitingthe PA 12. In some embodiments, such a PA can be, for example, a bipolarjunction transistor (BJT) PA such as a heterojunction bipolar transistor(HBT) PA, Si or SiGe based PA, etc. Thus, the example PA 12 has oneinput and one output. The output of the PA 12 is shown to be connectedto a matching circuit 16 which is depicted as including a capacitivecoupling 18 to ground, another matching circuit 20, a DC block, and acoupler 22 (e.g., to monitor output power). The amplified and matched RFsignal can then be routed to a “B38” RF output or a “B40” RF output byan output switch 24. Examples of such an output switch (24) can includea pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) switch, a CMOSswitch, a BiHEMT switch, a field-effect transistor (FET) switch, and asilicon-on-insulator (SOI) switch.

There are some drawbacks associated with use of such an output switch(24). For example, the switch can be relatively costly. In anotherexample, performance degradation can occur in the switch 24 due to arelatively large matching bandwidth associated with the amplificationcircuit that includes the PA 12 (e.g., added mismatch, ohmic losses,other losses and non-linearities). In yet another example, reliabilityissues (e.g., breakdown voltage and electrostatic discharge) can presentchallenges.

FIG. 2 shows that in some implementations, the present disclosurerelates to a power amplifier (PA) 100 having an input (RF IN) forreceiving an RF signal. The PA 100 is shown to have a plurality ofoutputs (RF OUTs). As described herein, each of the outputs can beassociated with a unique amplification path starting at or near theinput (RF IN). Various examples of such outputs formed within the PA, aswell as benefits that can be realized, are described herein in greaterdetail.

In some embodiments, a PA can be implemented on a given die. In suchembodiments, a component being “within the PA” can include aconfiguration where the component is also on the same die as the PA.Such a die can include an input node (e.g., RF IN) and output nodescoupled to the input node through their respective amplification paths.

In some embodiments, a PA and related circuits can be described in anarchitecture context, independent of specific implementations (such ason a die). In such embodiments, a component being “within the PA” caninclude a configuration where the component is disposed between an inputnode (e.g., RF IN) and output nodes before the matching network.

FIG. 3 shows examples of components that can be included in the PA 100.A number of connection nodes can be provided to facilitate variousinput(s) and output(s) associated with the PA 100. For example, an inputnode 102 is shown to facilitate receiving of an RF signal, and outputnodes 104, 106 are shown to facilitate outputting of amplified RFsignals for the respective bands. Although described in the context ofthe example B38 and B40 bands, it will be understood that one or morefeatures of the present disclosure can also be applied in other bands.For example, B1 and B2 bands can benefit from one or more features asdescribed herein. Other bands can also be utilized. Other I/O nodes suchas a voltage supply node 108 (e.g., VCC), as well as input/outputcoupler nodes 110, 112 can also be provided.

The PA 100 can include a plurality of amplifier stages 120, and suchstages can be arranged to form a plurality of amplification paths withinthe PA 100. Examples of how such amplification paths are describedherein in greater detail.

The PA 100 can also include a bias component 124 configured tofacilitate providing of bias signals to the amplifier stages 120. Suchbiasing of the amplifier stages 120 can be facilitated by a biasselector 122 configured to route bias signals to different amplifierstages 120.

In some implementations, the bias selector 122 can be utilized to selectan amplification path being operated. Thus, by utilizing such a selector122, different amplification paths can be separated out within the PA100. Examples of such different amplification paths are described hereinin greater detail. In the various examples described herein, theselector 122 is depicted as a switch. However, it will be understoodthat such selection functionality may or may not involve a switch. Forexample, the selector 122 can be implemented as a circuit that turns ona voltage or current source in a selected path. Such a selectionfunctionality can be facilitated by, for example, a PA controller 180 asdescribed herein (e.g., FIGS. 6-9).

In some embodiments, one or more couplers 126 can be disposed within thePA 100. Such couplers can be configured to, for example, monitor powersof PA outputs.

In the example of FIG. 3, it will be understood that the variouscomponents can be connected appropriately to provide desiredfunctionalities for the PA 100. Examples of such connectedconfigurations are described herein in greater detail.

FIG. 4 shows an example configuration 130 where a PA 100 having aplurality outputs based on a common input (RF IN) is connected tomatching networks to yield example matched outputs B38 RF OUT and B40 RFOUT. For the purpose of description, the example PA 100 is shown toinclude two amplification paths, each with two amplification stages. Itwill be understood that other numbers of amplification paths andamplification stages are also possible.

An RF signal entering the PA 100 through the RF IN input is shown to beamplified by a common first amplifier stage 120 a. Although not shown inFIG. 4, the first amplifier stage 120 a can be biased to facilitate itsoperation.

An output of the first stage 120 a is shown to be provided to two paths132, 152. The first path 132 is connected to an input of a secondamplifier stage 120 b, and the second path 152 is connected to an inputof a second amplifier stage 120 c. An output of the second amplifierstage 120 b can be coupled to a harmonic trap generally indicated as136. Similarly, an output of the second amplifier stage 120 c can becoupled to a harmonic trap generally indicated as 156. The twoamplification paths are shown to exit the PA 100.

The PA 100 is shown to further include a bias selector 122 configured todirect a bias signal to one or more amplifier stages of to the selectedamplification path. In the example shown, the bias selector 122 isconfigured to direct the bias signal to the second stage 120 b of thefirst amplification path, to thereby allow operation of the firstamplification path. In such a state, the second stage 120 c of thesecond amplification path is not operational, and therefore does notreceive a bias signal, or it may receive a bias signal corresponding toa non-operational state.

In some embodiments, the PA 100 can be implemented utilizing, forexample, HBT process. In the context of such a configuration, the biasselector 122 can include one or more FET switches configured to provide,for example, a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) switching functionality.In such an example, the pole can be connected to a bias signal source(e.g., a bias circuit), and each of the two throws can be connected tothe corresponding base (of the second stage transistor 120 b or 120 c).

Each of the second stages 120 b, 120 c of the first and secondamplification paths are shown to be provided with a supply voltage(e.g., VCC2) through a decoupling capacitance (e.g., a capacitor) 170.The supply voltage provided to the second stage 120 b is shown to bepassed through an inductive element (e.g., feed line) 148. Similarly,the supply voltage provided to the second stage 120 c is shown to bepassed through an inductive element (e.g., feed line) 168.

In the example configuration 130 of FIG. 4, the output from the firstamplification path of the PA 100 is shown to be connected to the “B38 RFOUT” node through a signal path that includes a matching circuit 138, amatching component 140, another matching component 142, a DC-blockcapacitor 144, and a coupler 146. The foregoing components can beconfigured based on properties of RF signals associated with the exampleB38 band. In the foregoing example, the matching components are depictedas a low pass element which is a common configuration. However, it willbe understood that other configurations can also be implemented.

Similarly, the output from the second amplification path of the PA 100is shown to be connected to the “B40 RF OUT” node through a signal paththat includes a matching circuit 158, a matching component 160, anothermatching component 162, a DC-block capacitor 164, and a coupler 166. Theforegoing components can be configured based on properties of RF signalsassociated with the example B40 band.

An architecture such as the example configuration 130 of FIG. 4 canprovide advantageous features when compared to the example configuration10 of FIG. 1. For example, power efficiency of the PA 100 can beimproved significantly (e.g., 5 to 10 points) over that of FIG. 1,therefore generally improving system performance. Such an increase inpower efficiency may be due to dedicated match circuits and dedicatedharmonic loading for each of the two signals paths between the PA 100and the RF OUT nodes, thereby reducing mismatch and ohmic losses. Inanother example, power added efficiency (PAE) can also be increased byeliminating the output switch (24 in FIG. 1).

In some implementations, the foregoing dedicated matching circuits canresult in an increased size of the matching network. However, such anincrease in matching network size can be compensated by the eliminationof the output switch (24 in FIG. 1).

In the various examples described in reference to FIGS. 2-4, two signalpaths are shown to originate from a common input. It will be understoodthat other number of signal paths can also be implemented from a giveninput. By way of an example, FIG. 5 shows a PA 100 having three signalpaths sharing a common input 200. An input RF signal is shown to beamplified by a common first amplifier stage 120 a. An output of thefirst stage 120 a is shown to be connected to three amplification paths,with the first path having a stage 120 b, a harmonic trap 204 a, and aPA output 202 a. Similarly, the second path has a stage 120 c, aharmonic trap 204 b, and a PA output 202 b. Similarly, the third pathhas a stage 120 d, a harmonic trap 204 c, and a PA output 202 c. In someembodiments, each of the PA outputs 202 a, 202 b, 202 c can be connectedto, for example, a dedicated matching network and a coupler. In theexamples of FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be understood that although the PAsare described as having a harmonic trap for each output path, suchharmonic traps may or may not be needed in some applications.

Similar to the two-path example of FIG. 4, amplification path selectionamong the three paths can be facilitated by a bias selector 122. Such aselector can be configured in a number of ways to yield, for example,SP3T functionality. In such an example, the pole can be connected to abias signal source (e.g., a bias circuit), and each of the three throwscan be connected to the corresponding base (of the second stagetransistor 120 b, 120 c or 120 d).

In the examples described in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the firstamplifier stage 120 a is common to the plurality of amplification paths.It will be understood that other configurations are also possible. Forexample, separation into different amplification paths can occur aftercommon first and second stages, so that each path has its own thirdstage. There can be a number of different configurations that can beimplemented utilizing one or more features of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, a PA 100 having one or more features as describedherein can be implemented on a semiconductor die. Although described inthe context of an example HBT die, it will be understood that one ormore features of the present disclosure can be implemented on othertypes of die.

In some implementations, one or more features described herein can beincluded in a module. FIG. 6 schematically depicts an example module300, and FIG. 7 shows an example where such a module can be implementedas a packaged module.

In FIG. 6, the example module 300 is shown to include a PA die 302 thatincludes a PA 100 having a plurality of amplification paths connected toa common input as described herein. The PA die 302 is shown to beinterconnected with a PA controller 180 (line 182). The PA controller180 can be configured to provide control signals (e.g., bias signals andsignals for selecting the amplification path as described herein) forthe PA 100. In some embodiments, the PA controller 180 can beimplemented in a die that is separate from the PA die 302. In someembodiments, the PA controller 180 can be implemented in the same die asthe PA die 302. In some embodiments, some of the PA controller 180 canbe implemented in the same die as the PA die 302, and some of the PAcontroller 180 can be implemented outside of the PA die 302 (e.g., in aseparate die). In some embodiments, the PA controller 180 can also beimplemented outside of the module 300 (e.g., on a separate module orpackage) on which the PA die 302 is implemented.

The module 300 can include connection paths 332, 334, 336 thatfacilitate various operations of the PA controller 180. The connectionpaths 332, 334, 336 can include, for example, connections for providingvarious currents and/or voltages as described herein. The module 300 canalso include other connection paths 330, 338 to facilitate, for example,grounding and other power and/or signals.

In the example module 300, the PA 100 is shown to include two exampleamplification paths. However, it will be understood that other numbersof paths can be implemented. In the context of the two amplificationpaths, the first path is shown to include amplifier stages 120 a and 120b, and the second path is shown to include amplifier stages 120 a and120 c. An output of the first path is shown to be connected to amatching circuit 308 so as to yield a matched output 310. Similarly, anoutput of the second path is shown to be connected to a matching circuit318 so as to yield a matched output 320.

In the example packaged module 300 of FIG. 7, a PA 100 as describedherein is shown to be implemented on a die 302. Such a die can befabricated using a number of semiconductor process technologies. The die302 can include a plurality of electrical contact pads 352 configured toallow formation of electrical connections 354 such as wirebonds betweenthe die 302 and contact pads 356 formed on a packaging substrate 350.

A separate die 360 having a PA controller circuit 120 as describedherein is shown to be mounted on the substrate 350. Such a die can befabricated using a number of semiconductor process technologies. The die360 can include a plurality of electrical contact pads 362 configured toallow formation of electrical connections 364 such as wirebonds betweenthe die 360 and contact pads 366 formed on the packaging substrate 350.

The packaging substrate 350 can be configured to receive a plurality ofcomponents such as the die 302, 360 and one or more SMDs (e.g., 380). Insome embodiments, the packaging substrate 350 can include a laminatesubstrate.

In the example packaged module 300, a matching network 370 can beimplemented on or within the substrate 350. In some embodiments, some orall of the matching network 370 can be implemented as an integratedpassive device (IPD) utilizing, for example, SOI die, GaAs die, etc.Such a matching network 370 can include some or all of the matchingcircuits 308, 318 described in reference to FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, the module 300 can also include one or morepackaging structures to, for example, provide protection and facilitateeasier handling of the module 300. Such a packaging structure caninclude an overmold formed over the packaging substrate 350 anddimensioned to substantially encapsulate the various circuits andcomponents thereon.

It will be understood that although the module 300 is described in thecontext of wirebond-based electrical connections, one or more featuresof the present disclosure can also be implemented in other packagingconfigurations, including flip-chip configurations.

In some implementations, a device and/or a circuit having one or morefeatures described herein can be included in an RF device such as awireless device. Such a device and/or a circuit can be implementeddirectly in the wireless device, in a modular form as described herein,or in some combination thereof. In some embodiments, such a wirelessdevice can include, for example, a cellular phone, a smart-phone, ahand-held wireless device with or without phone functionality, awireless tablet, etc.

FIG. 8 schematically depicts an example wireless device 400 having oneor more advantageous features described herein. A PA 100 having one ormore features as described herein can be part of a module 300. The PA100 is shown to be controlled by a PA control circuit 180. The module300 is shown to further include matching circuits 308, 318.

The PA 100 can receive RF signals from a transceiver 410 that can beconfigured and operated in known manners. The transceiver 410 can beconfigured to generate the RF signals to be amplified and transmitted,and to process received signals. The transceiver 410 is shown tointeract with a baseband sub-system 408 that is configured to provideconversion between data and/or voice signals suitable for a user and RFsignals suitable for the transceiver 410. The transceiver 410 is alsoshown to be connected to a power management component 406 that isconfigured to manage power for the operation of the wireless device.Such power management can also control operations of the basebandsub-system 408 and the module 300.

The baseband sub-system 408 is shown to be connected to a user interface402 to facilitate various input and output of voice and/or data providedto and received from the user. The baseband sub-system 408 can also beconnected to a memory 404 that is configured to store data and/orinstructions to facilitate the operation of the wireless device, and/orto provide storage of information for the user.

In the example wireless device 400, matched outputs of the module 300are shown to be routed to an antenna 416 via their respective duplexers412 a, 412 b and a band-selection switch 414. The band-selection switch414 can include, for example, a single-pole-double-throw (e.g., SPDT)switch to allow selection of an operating band (e.g., Band 1). Althoughdepicted in the context of the two-band output of the module 300, itwill be understood that the number of operating bands can be different.In configurations where multiple bands are involved (from the outputs ofthe PA 100 and/or other PA(s) not shown), such a band-selection switchcan have, for example, an SPMT (single-pole-multiple-throw)configuration.

In some embodiments, each duplexer 412 can allow transmit and receiveoperations to be performed simultaneously using a common antenna (e.g.,416). In FIG. 8, received signals are shown to be routed to “Rx” paths(not shown) that can include, for example, a low-noise amplifier (LNA).

In the example wireless device 400 depicted in FIG. 8, the duplexers 412a and 412 b can be included in a frequency-division duplexing (FDD)configuration. FIG. 9 shows that in a wireless device having atime-division duplexing (TDD) configuration, the duplexers may be not bepresent, and the outputs of the matching circuits 308, 318 can beconnected to the switch 414 through, for example, respective low-passfilters (LPF) 442 a, 442 b. In such a TDD configuration, Rx path(s) cancome out of the switch 414. Thus, the switch 414 can act as bandselector (e.g., B38 and B40 as described herein), as well as a Tx/Rx(TR) switch.

In the example wireless devices 400 depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, theexample module 300 is depicted as including the PAs 120 and theirrespective matching circuits 308, 318. In some embodiments, the module300 of FIG. 8 can include some or all of the duplexers 412 and theswitch 414. In some embodiments, the module 300 of FIG. 9 can includesome or all of the filters 442 and the switch 414.

In the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, the wireless devices 400 are describedas having FDD and TDD configurations, respectively. In some embodiments,a wireless device can be configured to have a combination of FDD and TDDfunctionalities.

A number of other wireless device configurations can utilize one or morefeatures described herein. For example, a wireless device does not needto be a multi-band device. In another example, a wireless device caninclude additional antennas such as diversity antenna, and additionalconnectivity features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Wherethe context permits, words in the above Description using the singularor plural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items,that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: anyof the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and anycombination of the items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, whileprocesses or blocks are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems havingblocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may bedeleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each ofthese processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of differentways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as beingperformed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performedin parallel, or may be performed at different times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

While some embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in theform of the methods and systems described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims andtheir equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications aswould fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating an amplifier, the method comprising: partially amplifying a signal with a common amplification stage; and providing a bias signal to a selected one of a plurality of dedicated amplification stages each coupled to the common amplification stage and including an output node, such that the selected dedicated amplification stage further amplifies the partially amplified signal and provides the further amplified signal at the respective output node.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing of the bias signal includes providing the bias signal to an input node of the selected dedicated amplification stage.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing of the bias signal includes performing a switching operation involving a pole and a number of throws at least as many as the number of dedicated amplification stages.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the performing of the switching operation includes routing the bias signal through the pole, a throw corresponding to the selected dedicated amplifier stage, and the selected dedicated amplifier stage.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the partially amplifying the signal with the common amplification stage is performing a first stage amplification in a corresponding signal path.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the further amplifying of the partially amplified signal with the selected dedicated amplifier stage is performing a second stage amplification in the corresponding signal path.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the partially amplifying of the signal and the further amplifying of the partially amplified signal include power amplification.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing of the bias signal to the selected dedicated amplification stage enables the selected dedicated amplification stage such that each of the plurality of dedicated amplification stages is coupled to the common amplification stage without any switch.
 9. A method for processing a signal, the method comprising: partially amplifying an input signal with a common amplification stage; and further amplifying the partially amplified signal with a selected one of a plurality of dedicated amplification stages each coupled to the common amplification stage and including an output node, the further amplifying including selectively providing a bias signal to the selected dedicated amplification stage.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the partially amplifying and the further amplifying are tailored to support transmission of the further amplified signal.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the further amplified signal has a gain in power relative to the input signal.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising removing or reducing amplitude of a harmonic component from the further amplified signal.
 13. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing matching for the further amplified signal.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the selectively providing of the bias signal to the selected dedicated amplification stage enables the selected dedicated amplification stage such that each of the plurality of dedicated amplification stages is coupled to the common amplification stage without any switch.
 15. A method for operating a wireless device, the method comprising: generating or providing a signal; and amplifying the signal, the amplifying including partially amplifying the signal with a common amplification stage, and further amplifying the partially amplified signal with a selected one of a plurality of dedicated amplification stages each coupled to the common amplification stage and including an output node, the further amplifying including selectively providing a bias signal to the selected dedicated amplification stage.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the partially amplifying and the further amplifying are tailored to support transmission of the further amplified signal.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising routing the further amplified signal to an antenna for wireless transmission.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising filtering the further amplified signal prior to transmission by the antenna.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the routing of the further amplified signal includes performing one or more switching operations between the selected dedicated amplification stage and the antenna.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the selectively providing of the bias signal to the selected dedicated amplification stage enables the selected dedicated amplification stage such that each of the plurality of dedicated amplification stages is coupled to the common amplification stage without any switch. 